Thousands line streets as Parkway opens

Crowds cheer with delight as multi-million pound shopping complex officially opens

THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Newbury today (Thursday) to witness the opening of Parkway.

Despite drizzling rain spirits were not dampened as a fanfare procession beginning in the Market Place waltzed through the town with Jack of Newbury leading the Parkway parade.

The nod to Newbury's past was lost on some, but others, such as Elizabeth Price, who lives in Basingstoke but came over for the day having been born in Newbury, said the town should celebrate it's long and proud history.

Street entertainers wowed the many young children in attendance with displays, as bands and singing groups combined to fill the air with joyous sounds as crowds thronged towards the polished retail site.

A ticker tape explosion peppered cheering shoppers, some of whom had queued since 9am to take advantage of opening offers at the new stores.

As the official opening ceremony began the deputy chairman of West Berkshire Council, Adrian Edwards (Con) addressed the crowd and said he had waited 20 years for Newbury to welcome such a development, but the main attraction was the shops, and just a couple of minutes before 11 some opened their doors as excited shoppers flooded in.

The fun is set to continue throughout the day and into the weekend as shops try to entice customers in to their doors with new offers and street entertainment including balloon trickery, street magic and fancy dress competitions attempt to hold the sway of the crowds.

To see a video of the parade and opening day celebrations, including an interview with Newbury's MP Richard Benyon and centre manager Neil Carter, click on the link above.

And we want to hear from you, tell us what you thought of the opening ceremony and of the project in general by emailing newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk or mark.taylor@newburynews.co.uk. Some of your comments may feature in our sister publication the Newbury Weekly News.